Tour Choirboys performing “Basil the Cat” during their June 2016 summer tour.

35TH ANNIVERSARY GALA EVENT FOR THE FORTBEND BOYS CHOIR

On Saturday, Feb. 4, at 6:30 p.m., join the Fort Bend Boys Choir in the Safari Lodge at Safari Texas for their 35th anniversary 1980s flashback-themed gala. The Tour Choir will perform and Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls will serve as Auctioneer.

Festivities include a delicious buffet meal, a Live Auction and a Silent Auction. Every taste and price range will be represented in the auctions which will include: sporting event packages, weekend trips, handmade items and much more.

Opportunities are still available for sponsorships to the Gala Dinner and Auction including a Platinum Sponsorship that features preferential seating, notable recognition and an exclusive performance by the Tour Choir for a future event.

Proceeds will help support all music programs of the Fort Bend Boys Choir, including scholarships for any choirboy who needs financial help. Call 281-240-3800 to learn more.

The Barry Sea Paradox Band is one of the Houston area’s most popular and versatile music groups. Featuring Katy’s own Barry and Bobbie Sea, the group specializes in classic soul/rhythm and blues and smooth jazz; but also plays Motown, disco, Latin, swing, rock oldies, standards ranging from Sinatra to Satchmo and even a little country. The group performs at various venues around Katy and Houston and is available to play at weddings, anniversary parties, restaurants, night clubs and special events. Call 713-822-5011 or go to barrysea.com for the band’s full schedule. Reservations are recommended for all events.

Fort Bend County Libraries’ Bob Lutts Fulshear/Simonton Branch Library, 8100 FM 359 South in Fulshear, presents a variety of free children’s programs, adult computer classes, book clubs, and special programs for people of all ages each month. All programs are free and open to the public. For a full schedule or more information, call 281-633-4675. The February schedule is as follows:

“Understanding Social Security and Medicare” – Monday, Feb. 13, 6 p.m. Andrew Hardwick, Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration, will provide an overview of Social Security retirement and the Medicare program. Learn how and when to apply for maximum benefits; the differences between Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D; and online tools at the Social Security Administration’s website. He will also talk about survivor and disability benefits and Supplemen­tal Security Income (SSI). Get tips on ways to increase benefits and learn how to access one’s work record online. Hardwick will also talk about the effects of work or other pensions on benefits and whether or not a divorced spouse can qualify for benefits under their ex-spouse.

“Taming Your Container Gardens” – Monday, Feb. 20, 6 p.m. Fort Bend County Master Gardener Kathy Gilmore will discuss container gardening for inside and outside the home. Whether the gardener has limited space, limited mobility, or simply wants to enhance the landscape with different types of plantings, container gardening offers a variety of alternatives. Learn about the wide range of container sizes and the types and varieties of plants that do well in containers. Gilmore will demonstrate how to plant a container garden and how to care for and maintain the plants. Gardeners of all experience levels who are interested in learning more about container gardening are welcome to attend.

Run or wa​lk and join the Katy Half Marathon, 5K and 1K on Saturday, Feb. 4 at Katy Mills Mall benefitting the Katy I​SD Education Foundation. Set up your own personal donation page at my.reason2race.com/cause/KatyISDEducationFoundation and raise funds for teacher grants by sending your page link and request for support to your family and friends.

The second annual Katy Half Marathon is race No. 2 of 3 in the Bayou City Half Marathon Series. The race includes distances half marathon, half marathon relay, 5k and kids 1k.

​If you can’t join, then support the participants. ​Dr. Randeep Suneja is using his participation in the Katy Half-Marathon to rally the community in support of its teachers. Help him reach his goal of raising a record setting $100,000 for the Katy ISD Education Foundation’s Inspiring Imagination teacher grant program by donating at my.reason2race.com/RandeepSuneja/KatyHalf5K2017/

Super Bowl LI fantasies come alive at the Children’s Museum’s In It To Win It event, Feb. 4

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON CELEBRATESSUPER BOWL LI, FEB. 4

The Children’s Museum of Houston will score a win for Houston families in celebration of Super Bowl LI. You’re invited to tackle tough numbers and celebrate football along with its well-played calculations at In It To Win It on Saturday, Feb. 4, beginning at 10 a.m. Special events include:

Mascot Challenge – The Museum’s Telephone Man and Moe Monster will face off in “speed challenges.” Event Time – 1 p.m. in Alcove.

Code Red Performance: Houston Energy female football dance team’s routine will beg for a replay. Event Time – Following Mascot Challenge in Alcove.

Join Ageless Med Spa on Thursday, Feb.9 from 4-7 p.m. for its Grand Opening. The office is located at Park Plaza Shopping Center, 414 West Grand Parkway South, Suite 115, Katy. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and Wine Tasting while you meet their new Medical Director, Dr. James Kern, who is a regular guest expert on Great Day Houston. Don’t miss the door prizes and special pricing on services! R.S.V.P. by Monday, Feb. 6 by calling 281-392-3700. For more information visit online at AgelessMedSpaKaty.com.

Girl Scouts in southeast Texas will commemorate the milestone of the 100th anniversary of cookie sales with a debut of its new S’mores Cookie.

LOCAL GIRL SCOUTS COUNCIL DEBUTS NEW S’MORES COOKIES

Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council (GSSJC), one of the largest Girl Scout councils in the U.S., celebrates the 100th anniversary of the first known sale of Girl Scout Cookies with a debut of its new S’mores™ cookies during the 2017 Girl Scout Cookie Program, which began Jan. 7.

The celebration of 100 years of Girl Scouts selling cookies will kick into high gear during National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend 2017. From Feb. 24-26, Girl Scout councils around the country, including GSSJC, will be hosting events and cookie booths for cookie enthusiasts to get their hands on the iconic treats and join in the fun. To find cookie varieties available locally or learn more about the history of Girl Scout cookies and the Girl Scout Cookie Program, visit girlscoutcookies.org or download the Cookie Finder App from the App Store or Google Play.

A century ago, girls started participating in what would evolve into the largest entrepreneurial training program for girls in the world: The Girl Scout Cookie Program®, through which girls learn the essential skills they need to become effective leaders, manage finances and gain self-sufficiency and confidence in handling money. To commemorate this banner year for the organization, the highly anticipated Girl Scout S’mores™ will be available for order at the start of the sale, joining classics like Thin Mints and Shortbreads.

The sale of cookies by Girl Scouts had humble beginnings, born as a way for troops to finance activities. The first known sale occurred in 1917, when the Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma, baked cookies and sold them in its high school cafeteria as a service project. As the Girl Scout Cookie Program developed and evolved, it not only became a vehicle for teaching five essential skills—goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills, and business ethics—it also enabled collaboration and integration, as early as the 1950s, among girls and troops of diverse backgrounds, as they worked together toward common goals.

Katy Christian Women’s Connection (KCWC) next luncheon will be on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at The Club at Falcon Point, 24502 Falcon Point Dr., Katy. Judy Tacett “The Grateful Gardener” will show attendees how to turn old antiques into planters and fairy gardens. Latrelle Linton, a professional singer/songwriter from Huntsville, will be the guest speaker. The luncheon is from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost is $18 per person.

KCWC is part of Stonecroft, a ministry for women that provides Bible studies, prayer connections and fellowship luncheons around the U.S.

Katy Christian Women also sponsors monthly Prayer Coffees on the second Thursday of each month. New Bible Studies start in January. Visit Katycwc.org for locations or call Janet Collins at 281-762-8252.

For more information or to RSVP for the luncheon, email Nancy at Katycwc@gmail.com or call 281-232-8338.

On Saturday, Feb. 11, the annual Boots & Badges Gala, which raises the revenues to support the mission of Behind the Badge Charities, will be held at the George Ranch at 6 p.m.. The public is invited to purchase tickets and attend this fun — and very important — event.

Behind the Badge Charities was founded in 2011 following the death of Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office Deputy JD Norsworthy, who died in an automobile accident while in the line of duty. The charity’s mission is to provide support and assistance to all public safety professionals working in Fort Bend County: peace officers, correctional officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, probation officers, and 9-1-1 emergency community professionals serving with government or volunteer emergency services organizations.

The Fort Bend community has also supported Behind the Badge Charities in a big way this past year. The Sugar Land Skeeters presented Behind the Badge Charities with a check for $12,500 from their Deacon’s Stars And Stripes Charity Softball Classic held at Constellation Field. Also in April, the BAPS Hindu community’s annual walk benefiting multiple causes included Behind the Badge Charities. The Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra honored First Responders with a special Summon the Heroes concert and distributed free tickets to First Responder families and the Morton Masonic Lodge held a Gumbo Cook Off competition with all proceeds going to BTBC and the Indo-American Forum.

The two components of the core mission of Behind the Badge are the “10-33” Officer Assistance Fund and the Fallen Officers Memorial Scholarship, which in the past year gave out 24 scholarships to the children or dependents of qualified public safety officers and emergency first responders in Fort Bend County. For more information, volunteer opportunities or donations, visit behindthebadgecharities.orgor call 281-815-4980.

Varad Gaikwad of the Indian Music Society of Houston is one of the featured performers at “Classical Music of India” on Feb. 18.

CINCO RANCH BRANCH LIBRARY, FEB. 18

Fort Bend County Libraries’ Cinco Ranch Branch Library, 2620 Commercial Center Blvd in Katy, presents a variety of free children’s programs, adult computer classes, book clubs, and special programs for people of all ages each month. All programs are free and open to the public. For a full schedule or more information, call 281-395-1311. The February schedule is as follows:

“Classical Music of India” – Saturday, Feb. 18, 2-3 p.m. Members of the Indian Music Society of Houston will perform classical Indian music on the sitar, tabla, and flute.

“Bonsai Basics” – Saturday, Feb. 25, 10:30 a.m. Pete Parker, a member of the Houston Bonsai Society, will discuss fundamentals of the ancient art of bonsai. Get tips on how to get started with this Asian gardening technique, where to buy materials in the Houston area, and what resources are available for information on creating and maintaining bonsai.

Katy ISD has announced the establishment of an Athletic Hall of Honor to recognize the efforts and contributions of former student athletes, athletic teams, coaches and special merit individuals who have brought distinction, honor and excellence to themselves and to the District.

Nominations are being accepted through March 15. Submissions will be reviewed by the Katy ISD Athletic Hall of Honor Honorary Board and voted on by the Katy ISD Athletic Hall of Honor Committee. Once submitted, a nominee’s application will remain active for five years with the Honorary Board. Due to the sheer volume of alumni worthy of such an honor, nominations will be accepted annually.

The Hall of Honor Committee has already selected the following four state championship teams to be honored in the inaugural class of the Athletic Hall of Honor:

Katy High School 1959 Football State Champions

Katy High School 1997 Football State Champions

Taylor High School 1997 Tennis State Champions

Taylor High School 1998 Tennis State Champions.

Individuals and state championship teams will be honored at a 2017 fall banquet and a Katy ISD football game. State championship teams will continue to be added to the Athletic Hall of Honor every year. For more information and access to the requirements and nomination form, visit katyisd.org/dept/athletics/Pages/default.aspx.

A sporting clays tournament will be held Saturday, Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Westside Sporting Grounds, 10120 Pattison Road in Katy. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. and a mandatory safety meeting at 8:45. Tournament begins at 9 a.m. with a BBQ lunch following. Ballard House provides free lodging for patients and their families who travel to the Houston area for medical treatment.

Terri Sabol, teacher and animal shelter volunteer, will host an interactive book launch event for Oscar and Emmy Get Rescued at Citizens for Animal Protection at 17555 Katy Freeway in Houston on Feb. 20 from 2-6pm.

This adorable and informative children’s book story about animal rescue and adoption will take place at an animal shelter. The author, illustrator, and book designer of “Oscar and Emmy Get Rescued” will all be there.

At the book launch, guests will have an opportunity to hear a reading of Oscar and Emmy Get Rescued, participate in a Q&A with the author, illustrator, and book designer, have their book signed, and take an optional tour of the animal shelter facility. Guests may bring their already purchased book from Amazon to the event to get signed. They can also pre-purchase the book using the link at oscarandemmybooks.com. Or they may purchase one of the limited copies at the book launch event for signing.

This event is free and open to the public. No reservations are necessary. Children are encouraged to come with their parents, especially since it is a school holiday. There will also be light refreshments served as well as goodie bags for attendees.

Follow Oscar and Emmy on their journey from being born to a stray mama cat to being rescued by an animal shelter and then adopted by a loving family.A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Oscar and Emmy Get Rescued will be donated to private animal rescue groups, such as Jamie’s Animal Rescue (Richmond), Adopt a Cat, Inc. (Houston), and Angel’s Haven Animal Rescue (Perry, Florida). The author encourages her readers to support their local animal rescue through volunteering, food and supply donations or monetary donations.

Terri Sabol’s career as an early childhood teacher led to her love of picture books. Rescue cats have always been a part of her life. Then, it seemed natural to combine the two. She lives with her husband and their two rescue kitties, Oscar and Emmy, in Fort Bend County. Terri is already working on the next book in the Oscar and Emmy series. Anna Edwards, the Illustrator, also lives in Fort Bend County and loves cats.

For more information visit bit.ly/terrisabol or email info@terrisabol.com.

Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital is offering a Stroke Support Group, “A roadmap for the journey to recovery,” on the third Tuesday of every month from 6 -7 p.m.at the Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital – Fourth Floor Conference Room, East Tower, 23900 Katy Freeway.

THE PREGNANCY HELP CENTER OF WEST HOUSTON CELEBRATING LIFEBANQUET, MARCH 2

The Pregnancy Help Center of West Houston has announced its Twenty-Eight Years of Celebrating Life Banquet to be held on March 2, at the Agave Road Banquet Room located at the intersection of Kingsland Blvd. and FM 1463.

Popular Christian speaker, author and teacher, Gari Meacham, will be the guest speaker for the event. The event will also include a silent auction with all proceeds going to the running of the Center. Sponsorships and dinner reservations can be made at PHCKaty.org, or email jeanniez@phckaty.org. Additional questions can be answered by calling 281-578-0078.

The group is also celebrating the announcement that the previous community relations director, Jeannie Z, is the new acting executive director. Jeannie was asked to step into the position upon Sue Leach’s retirement from the Center after almost 10 years of dedicated service there. Jeannie is a longtime resident of Katy and has been involved off and on with the Center in a volunteer position since the early 1990s before being hired as one of its directors. She has extensive experience from running her own business and promoting major events around the world.

Katy Taste Fest, the city’s only festival that focuses on food, has announced the date for its 2017 festival. This family friendly event will debut at Villagio Town Center, 22764 Westheimer Pkwy., on Friday, March 4, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., to celebrate the city’s diverse dining options.

This new Katy tradition aspires to turn tasters into diners. The festival explores the city’s diverse dining scene by sampling tastes from local restaurants. Attendees can enjoy cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, a silent auction, and family-friendly activities for food lovers of all ages, including practical ideas to try at home.

The Fulshear Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Texas Independence Day Celebration scheduled for Saturday, March 4. The event will take place from 5-9 p.m. in the parking lot of Parkway Fellowship Church, at the corner of FM 1463 Rd. and FM 1093 Rd. There will be Texas music, Texas children’s activities, Texas shopping, Texas food, Texas V-Tails Flyover and fireworks! This event has it all and is free to all who wish to celebrate the great state of Texas!

Hometown Fulshear band Saenz Of The Times will take the Cane Island stage about 5 p.m. playing Texas rock ’n roll.

Texan and country artist Pauline Reese will take the FACC Main Stage about 6 p.m. Pauline Reese is Texas Music Award’s Entertainer and Female Vocalist of the year and serves as an inspiration as the only woman in Texas Music.

Texan and country music legend Johnny Rodriguez will take the FACC Main Stage about 7 p.m. Rodriguez was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007. Johnny’s debut album “Introducing Johnny Rodriguez” went to No. 1 on all three major trade charts. Some of Johnny’s classic hits include “Pass
Me By”, “You Always Come Back(To Hurting Me)”, “Riding My Thumb to Mexico”, “That’s The Way Love Goes”, and “Just Get Up And Close The Door.”

For more information about this event or to become a sponsor, please contact Fulshear Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Assistant Amy Norvell at anorvell@fulshearareachamber.com or call 832-600-3221